Wester – Bessie Jean (Gingrich) Wester (June 28, 1929 – January 20, 2022), of Tilley, Alberta, and more recently of Sedley, Saskatchewan, peacefully passed into the presence of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on January 20, 2022, at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan, at the age of 92 years. Bessie was born to Urias and Alice Gingrich at the High River Hospital on June 28, 1929. She received her public schooling at the Pleasant Plains and Ridgeview schools near the family home in Mazeppa. Bessie spent four years at the Western Canadian Bible Institute in Regina, where she graduated with a diploma in Christian Education in 1951. Following service with the West Indies Mission in Trinidad from 1951 to 1954, Bessie returned to Canada and worked at Ratzlaff Agencies in Bassano. During this time, she met Arne John Wester of Tilley, and they were married in the Bassano Evangelical Free Church on December 3, 1960. The couple enjoyed life together on their farm in Tilley for almost 59 years. They were active members of the Tilley and Brooks Evangelical Free Churches and the local Gideons chapter. For many years, Bessie was a distributor with New Life Books and later Living Books. A couple months after moving to the Newbrook Lodge in June 2019, Arne unexpectedly passed away. Bessie remained at the Lodge until December 2020, when she moved to Sedley. She resided there until she made the final move to her eternal home. Bessie is survived by her loving daughters Sharon (Jerry) Durston of Sedley and Beverley (Jim) Clow of Brook; grandchildren Sheena (Jeremy) Johnsrude, Shea (Sharlyn) Durston, Tyler (Kristen) Durston, Levi (Shaylee) Durston, Danae (Dallas) Evans, Luke Durston, Josh (Hilary) Clow, Danielle Clow, and Joelle Clow; fifteen great grandchildren; sisters, Mary Poffenroth, Glenda (Henry) Goerzen, Arlene (Alfred) Jensen, and Joan Fletcher; brother-in-law Ralph Wester; sister-in-law Anne Wester, as well as many nieces and nephews. Bessie was predeceased by her parents Urias and Alice Gingrich, brothers Edgar and Gerald, sister Wanda and numerous extended family members. A Graveside Service, open to family and friends, will be held on Thursday, February 10 at 11:00 AM at the Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery, Tilley. A Memorial Service, open to family and friends, will follow at 2:00 PM at the Brooks Evangelical Free Church, with Pastor Garth Everett officiating. In consideration of those who are elderly or immune-compromised, please wear a mask in the church. The service will be live streamed and also available for viewing later on the Brooks Evangelical Free Church YouTube channel. In memory of Bessie, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be given directly to Trans World Radio Canada, PO Box 25324, London, ON N6C 6B1, online at www.twr.ca, or by phone at 1-888-672-6510.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca
Telephone 403-362-4636 or Toll Free (866)-362-4652
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